New Year’s Eve Traditions from Around the World

Tired of just kissing at Midnight?  Have you ever wondered what other countries do to ring in the New Year?  We did…. and here is a fun roundup of what we found.

Wearing Red Under Garments

In South America, Italy and and Spain it is believed that wearing red under garments on New Year’s Eve will bring prosperity, love, and general happiness.

Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight

In most Latin American Countries and Spain, it is believed that with each strike of a bell clock at midnight, you consume one grape. Finish all twelve, in time with the bell, and you’ve eaten your way to a full 365 days of prosperity. Not to difficult to pull off and a sweet tasting way to start the New Year.

Walk an Empty Suitcase around the Block

In Columbia and other South/Central American countries at the stroke of midnight, those who want lots of travel in the new year grab some empty suitcases and run around the block with them. The faster you run the more travel you can expect.  Hey I want to go on vacation, better dust off the Samsonite!

Bring the Gift of Good Luck

In Scotland the new year tradition of ‘first-footing’ is  that if you’re the first person to cross a home’s threshold in the new year, you should bring a gift for good luck for the homeowners not you.  So make sure you have someone return the favor.

Bang Your Bread

In Ireland it is believed that you must bang your bread loudly and vigorously against the wall to drive out bad luck, and bad spirits, from the home.

Go Jump in a (Frozen) Lake

In Russia and Siberia,folks take a plunge into a frozen lake, not too easy to do here in Phoenix, but if you are in the high country you might be able to but please be careful.  I wonder if we can pull this off with a cold swimming pool?   They jump in with a tree trunk in hand to place it under the ice.

Talking Animals

In Romania it is believed that at the stroke of Midnight some animals might be able to talk.

If an animal talks, the person that hears them speak will be  in for an awful year filled with bad luck, but if your pets don’t talk to you and you don’t hear a thing, you will have a great year.

Break Plates on your Neighbor’s Front Door

Uh… say what?  Yes — people actually do this!

The Danish throw plates and glasses at the doors of neighbors’ homes. The more broken plates and glasses you find at your front door the luckier you will be in the New Year (just don’t walk outside barefoot).

Open the Windows and Doors

In the Philippines and other countries it is believed that you must open all the windows and doors to shoo away all the bad energy and welcome in the good positive energy for the New Year.

Throw out a Cup/Bucket of Water

In Puerto Rico it is believed that you need to toss out a cup or bucket of water at the stroke of midnight to help drive away evil spirits. I’d say if you are going to try this one make sure your neighbor isn’t right outside your window or door.